The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a dramatic turn on Sunday as a rival faction of the party unveiled businessman and academic, Chris Uba, as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, just days after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s flagbearer in a separate nationwide primary election.
The development has further exposed deep divisions within the opposition party and raised fresh questions over who will ultimately represent the ADC in the 2027 presidential race. The faction, led by its National Chairman, Bala Gombe, also presented flags to 29 governorship candidates across the country’s six geopolitical zones, signaling its determination to establish an alternative political structure ahead of the next general elections.
The emergence of Uba comes barely a week after Atiku was declared the ADC presidential candidate following a nationwide primary election reportedly conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. In that exercise, Atiku defeated former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to secure the party’s ticket.
Speaking during the formal presentation of candidates in Abuja, Gombe said the faction’s decision to nominate Uba was guided by the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness and federal character. He explained that the presidential ticket was deliberately zoned to Southern Nigeria as part of efforts to promote national balance and strengthen unity within the party.
